Favoritism allegation against NAHCON Chairman a big lie, aims  to tarnish his image – Progressive Northern Youth

This was just as the group commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for working assiduously to ensure that the NAHCON is streamlined and repositioned to deliver on its mandate.

Making this known in a statement
Dr Muktar Suleiman, the national coordinator of Progressive Northern Youth, described the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated, described it as  the handiwork of saboteurs, who wanted to distract the commission from its mandate.

He hinted that”Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman was given a clear-cut target by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He must be allowed to deliver.”

The successes the commission recorded under Sale Usman are giving some people sleepless nights, urging Nigerians to disregard the alleged temperament with postings within the commission.

He added, “In November 2024, NAHCON refunded N5.3bn to State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and tour operators for poorly rendered services during the 2023 Hajj.

Dr.Suleiman emphasised that  some people who are uncomfortable with the successes the commission has recorded under the leadership of Professor Usman are working tirelessly to dent his image and that of the Tinubu administration.

He however added that empirical evidence confirmed that neither the principal officers of the commission or its leadership is tampering with the laid down rules and regulations guiding the commission’s operations and engagements.

He said,” We are aware of some desperate moves by naysayers to destroy the 2025 Hajj arrangements through propaganda

. This campaign of calumny is being sponsored by some individuals who feel intimidated by the chairman’s transformative agenda.

“Sadly, this is coming at the very moment the 2025 Hajj preparations are on the top gear. We must categorically urge the NAHCON chairman to never relent. He has the backing of patriotic Nigerians.

Dr.Suleiman then urged well-meaning Nigerians to always obtain verifiable information from the commission before going to the press.

According to him “The report that the commission favors a section of the workers over others is a blatant lie. This can be justified.

He therefore disclosed that “The doors of the commissions are open to everyone seeking genuine information on the commission’s operations. The commission under the leadership of Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman has never failed to provide us with information.

“It is instructive here that we state unequivocally that the very day the chairman assumed duty he made it abundantly clear that he will be fair to all. He has kept to his words.

“But some unpatriotic citizens are bandying propaganda to tarnish the chairman’s hard-earned image and cast the Tinubu administration in bad light. This would not be allowed to go unchecked.

“But we have a responsibility to urge Nigerians especially the intending pilgrims to disregard the report as it is baseless.

He added, “In November 2024, NAHCON refunded N5.3bn to State Pilgrims Welfare Boards and tour operators for poorly rendered services during the 2023 Hajj.

Dr.Suleiman however disclosed that ” As  an independent group, we have been keenly following developments at NAHCON.

We have confidence in the leadership. We witnessed a series of meetings between the commission and key stakeholders in the Hajj industry aimed at fine-tuning arrangements to make the 2025 Hajj exercise cost-effective. This includes increasing the number of banks handling the Hajj Saving Scheme.he said

He also stated that ” Additionally, the commission has employed the services of capable and efficient service providers to take care of the intending pilgrims.